Dairy cooperatives in Trans Nzoia and Bungoma have formed a union to boost their returns and access better markets.
The Nzoia Dairy Farmers Co-operative Union is an umbrella of 15 societies.
“Trans Nzoia and its environs have never had a cooperative union. The formation of this umbrella body will enable us to boost our returns,” chairman Robert Makhanu said.
Individual cooperative societies have had it rough in penetrating the highly competitive market.
“Our end goal is to acquire the right infrastructure to have the capability to add value to our bulk production. In the meantime, we will be supplying our yields to the Brookside,” Makhanu said.
Deputy Governor Stanley Tarus challenged the farmers to look beyond milk production and incorporate other services associated with dairy farming.
“Production of heifers is also another avenue which the union should venture in to capitalise on the ready market from our neighbouring counties. Also, take advantage of the membership base to form a savings and credit society,” Tarus said.
Livestock and Fisheries chief officer Shadrack Kimutai said dairy farming offered the region an alternative to maize cultivation.
The county government recently employed five co-operative officers and five audit officers to assist in capacity building and help cooperatives to be compliant with regulations.
